£85,000 funding approved for rural broadband projects in Stirling

Stirling Council has approved £85,000 of funding to improve broadband access for rural communities.The Balquhidder Community Broadband (BCB) project will receive £70,000, while £15,000 will be allocated to Argaty and Kilbryde.The additional cash for the BCB scheme will replace the contribution from Community Broadband Scotland following the support scheme’s closure.It will allow the BCB project to be completed, ensuring that all 197 premises in the Balquhidder area will benefit from hyper-fast, future-proof and community-owned broadband.The investment into Argaty and Kilbryde will provide high-speed connectivity to 60 premises, using radio signals from fixed wireless technology rather than cables, minimising disruption. If the initiative is successful it may be extended to Kinbuck and other areas.Members of the finance and economy committee also approved the setting up of a Rural Broadband Forum involving officers, key partners and community representatives.A partnership involving Stirling Council, internet service provider (ISP) Bogons and community interest company Balquhidder Community BCB, the Balquhidder Community Broadband (BCB) project was launched on 23 March 2018Funded in part by an initial £100,000 investment from Stirling Council, along with a similar contribution from its commercial partner, and rural development funding from the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme, the BCB project is expected to bring in millions of pounds in economic gain.